piano Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
    pianoforte; forte-piano.
  2. noun (music) low loudness
    pianissimo.
  3. adjective used chiefly as a direction or description in music
    soft.
    • the piano passages in the composition
  4. adverb used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
    softly.

WordNet

Pi*a"no adjective & adverb
Etymology
It., even, smooth, soft, fr. L. planus even, level.
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev. p.)
Pi*an"o, Pi*an"o*for`te noun (Also<
  • Piano
  • Pianoforte
)
Etymology
It. piano soft (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see Plain, a.) + It. forte strong, fr. L. fortis (see Fort).
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a sreies of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys.

Webster 1913